Gary Grewal profiteered more than $731K In Public Dollars, Sask. Party Protected Him Last Week
REGINA – Following consultation with legal counsel about bringing forward a $50,000 penalty against former Sask. Party MLA Gary Grewal, the Saskatchewan NDP is calling today for changes to strengthen the conflict of interest laws that govern conduct for Members of the Legislative Assembly.
“With the law as it currently stands, the Sask. Party is basically saying that MLAs can break the law and line their pockets with public money so long as they don’t run again,” said Meara Conway, Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Minister for Ethics and Democracy. “No fine, no punishment — you just get to sail off into the sunset with three quarters of a million dollars of public money in your pocket.”
The scandal first began in November 2023 when the Saskatchewan NDP revealed internal documents showing that the Sunrise Motel – owned by Grewal – had doubled the motel rates when charging government clients, effectively jacking up the rates when taxpayers were footing the bill. It was then revealed that MLA Grewal was financially involved with another motel receiving similar government contracts.
The Conflict of Interest Commissioner found Grewal guilty during the recent election campaign and left it to the Legislative Assembly to determine a proper penalty for his actions. However, the Saskatchewan NDP was given legal advice that the current Members’ Conflict of Interest Act prevents any penalty against former members of the Legislative Assembly.
In all, Grewal profiteered off government contracts totalling more than $731,000 — before he was elected, Grewal netted $1,309 in government contracts. Conflict of interest legislation in other provinces allows for fines of up to $50,000.
Last week, after the Provincial Auditor released a scathing report about failures in the process used by the Ministry of Social Services to allocate hotel rooms, the Sask. Party Government used its majority in a legislative committee and then in the Assembly to block NDP motions to have Grewal testify about his actions.
“Gary Grewal used his power as an MLA to game the system while his constituents suffered,” said Jacqueline Roy, Saskatchewan NDP MLA for Regina Northeast, which Grewal formerly represented. “I have heard from so many people who want closure, who want a proper penalty brought against the man who claimed to be representing their interests when clearly he was doing anything but.”
Conway added, “The people of this province deserve better from their representatives. The Saskatchewan NDP will continue to fight to end corruption in this Sask. Party government and that starts with strengthening this law.”
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